Helpful Hints

Choosing a Builder

First Homebuyers & Incentives

First Homebuyers & Building

Choosing a Builder

The choice of a builder will be influenced by the size and type of project.

If it is a new house, do you choose a project home or a custom builder? A remodelling project (ie. renovations, alterations and additions) for instance, usually requires a different level of experience and expertise to blend the old with the new.

Residential builders in WA are required to be registered. So whether you choose a project home builder or you are referred to a builder by friends you must ensure the name of that builder is associated with a current registration and endorsed for the work (e.g. General Building Work) you intend to have undertaken. If there is no licence, then immediately scratch the name from the list.

Below is a general checklist which you can use as part of your preparations for choosing a builder. The most important thing to remember is to ask questions at any stage, particularly if you are unsure about any decisions or changes.

  • Be precise about the project details and your expectations of the builder. Ensure you have detailed plans and specifications;
  • Obtain information from your local council about zoning regulations, requirements and building approvals. Your Council website can be found at www.walga.asn.au/about_lg/council_websites;
  • Only deal with a builder who is licensed (www.builders.wa.gov.au);
  • Look to see if your builder is a member of the Master Builders Association and also to see whether they have won any Master Builders' Awards for the quality of their building work or customer service;
  • Make sure you have plans and specifications for builders to quote on, if the builder doesn’t do the plans for you. Or choose a designer first.
  • Familiarise yourself with the fundamental legal obligations and jargon, to feel comfortable openly talking with your builder;
  • Select only three or four builders to quote on your project;
  • In comparing building prices or quotations, make sure that you are comparing “apples with apples”. Building prices can vary due to different types and grades of materials specified, or because of certain exclusions or inclusions in the price;
  • WA has mandatory home warranty insurance for works over $20,000;
  • Any concerns you have should be raised with the builder immediately;
  • Try to be contactable at all times, thereby allowing your builder to discuss any issues and make a quick decision;
  • Any variations, extra work or omissions should be made in writing and signed by you - the client - and the builder. Expect requests for extra work to be an additional charge;
  • WA has stringent safety laws, so expect the builder to make regular site visits; and
  • Ask about the accessibility of builder during construction – if a problem arises, can you contact the builder at short notice? How regularly will the builder or supervisor update you on the work programme?

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First Homebuyers & Incentives

There is a lot of assistance available to first home buyers from Governments. It is worth spending some time to carefully investigate the rebates and assistance available to you.

Below is a list of links to relevant Government agencies:

These are relatively generous arrangements and should assist to make entry to the housing market more affordable for many first home buyers.

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First Homebuyers & Building

First homebuyers usually comprise around twenty per cent of the new home market.  This means that each year of the 20,000 new dwellings constructed each year, around 4,000 will be built by new homebuyers.

Master Builders’ advice to homebuyers who are going through the building process for the first time is as follows:

  • Make sure that when you are obtaining quotes for your new home that you are comparing “apples with apples”.  In other words look at the plans and specifications carefully and make sure that the prices you obtain are comparable in terms of what is included;
  • Do not choose a builder purely on price.  You should also consider the builder’s track record.  Talking to previous clients can provide valuable feedback on past performance.  Assess your ability to be able to work with the builder.  Good communication skills are vital. See choosing a builder;
  • Make sure that you have a contingency sum in your building budget.  There may be variations to the original plans and drawings that you may wish to make during construction.  Alternatively unexpected expenses like site costs may be higher than the provisional estimate in your building contract;
  • Check carefully what the building contract covers, because some contracts do not allow for floor coverings, driveways, landscaping or other fixtures that you may want;
  • Decide whether you wish to build with a large project builder or a smaller builder.  Both have advantages and disadvantages.  Large builders have the “economies of scale” resulting in lower costs, while smaller builders can be more flexible and directly supervise the building work. See choosing a builder;
  • Do not sign a building contract or preliminary agreement without reading and clearly understanding your rights and obligations;
  • Keep an accurate diary of negotiations and discussions with sales staff and construction supervisors.  Do not rely on verbal representations or undertakings by sales staff.  A written record of these undertakings should be included in the contract document, and/or maintained during the construction period;
  • Use only a builder is registered and consider using a Master Builder member who has access to the latest information on regulatory changes and training programs;
  • Any variations should be documented and signed.  Do not rely on a handshake or a “she’ll be right”; and
  • If there is anything that you are not happy with, talk to your builder first.  Small problems can be easily sorted out, but could escalate if they are allowed to fester.

Visit www.mbawa.com for more information.

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